Coyotes will be in good position after break

Nineteen games separate the Coyotes from their first playoff berth in eight years. They have had a few chances in the interim but always seemed to find a way to lose.

But these are not the same old Coyotes - they keep finding ways to win.

They finished play before the Olympic break in fourth place in the Western Conference with 79 points, equaling last season's total. The Coyotes are 11 points ahead of No. 9 Dallas and No. 10 Detroit,both with 21 games left.

It took 91 points to make the West playoffs a year ago, but that number likely will not be enough this time. The Coyotes do not need perfection: They can go 8-8-3 and finish with 98 points; the Stars and Red Wings could storm to the finish line with 15-6 records and only match that number.

Teams can resume trading after the break, and with Scottie Upshall (knee) out for the season, the Coyotes could be active.

Here are some key reasons why the Coyotes, despite having lost two in a row, likely are bound for the playoffs:

• Veteran players who know how to respond when the game is on the line. The team's record in one-goal contests is 21-6-5.

• A structured system that, if followed, puts them into a position to excel in areas that make them successful.

• The mantra of "pack mentality" has been bandied about since the start of the season, but the Coyotes have proven that even without a high-powered scorer they can beat anyone in the league.

• A coach in Dave Tippett who knows how to adapt to changes during the game. The biggest intangible, however, is that Tippett puts his players in positions to succeed. They know their roles, where they need to be on the ice, and when an opponent makes a mistake, they pounce on it.

Fifteen of the final 19 are against conference opponents, and the Coyotes hold a 30-15-4 mark against the West.

"We're 8-3 this stretch to go into the break," Tippett said. "We put ourselves in strong position coming out of the break. All the credit to them.

"Would we have liked to have won these last two games before the break? Sure we would have. That goes without saying, but we put a lot of work into this here the last little bit, especially losing (Scottie) Upshall and haven't added anybody since. We've got a lot of players pushing here, we'll have a good break and come out of it and we'll be a better team for it."

The Coyotes return after the break with four home games then will play only four of their last 15 at Jobing.com Arena.

Shane Doan, the heart and soul of the franchise, likes the chances of his team, which is 15-12-3 on the road.

"We've got a lot of depth up front with guys who contribute, and we're going to need everybody to contribute," he said. "Our blue line has been phenomenal, and our goaltending has been great.